Pull the right corners to match up exactly with the Front Cover, using “+” and “-” to zoom in and out as needed. Select the “Move” tool. In the window below, make sure the “Move the active layer” button is selected and then click-and-drag the Spine to relocate it-otherwise you may end up dragging the background and pulling your hair out as I did!Īs you move the Spine, line it up with the left of your Front Cover, but don’t worry if the edges aren’t perfect yet.Ĭhoose the “Perspective” tool and click on the Spine. On the menu bar, click “File –> Open as Layers” and open your Spine Image.Īs you did with the Cover Image, click on the Spine and then on the menu bar: “Image –> Canvas Size.” Make sure the dimensions are 2000 x 2000 pixels, giving you space to work. You will need to play with this and use Ctrl+Z to quickly undo a messy curve and give it another go. Note: The “Modify Curves” window does not factor how you’ve altered the angle of your image already.
To the right is another button that says “Mirror.” Use it to match the “Upper” curve exactly.Įven if you decide to have different Upper and Lower curves, I highly recommend having them mirror each other at first, before adjusting them as you wish. I recommend creating 3-4 points and pulling them up to form a smooth, gentle curve, allowing for greater bend towards the right end of the book, where a real paperback cover might curl. Point and click along the line: it will create a new point that you can drag to create the curved effect. Make sure the “Upper” button is selected. Below it, note the “Upper” and “Lower” buttons that allow you to change the curve of the upper and lower sides of the image. On the right is the “Modify Curves” box-your work area. Make sure you click “Automatic preview” to see what your changes will look like. On the left is a preview of what your Cover will look like once it’s curved.
When you’re done, click “Transform” in the “Perspective” window.Ĭlick on your Front Cover and then select in the menu: “Filters –> Distorts –> Curve Bend.” Click and drag the top- and bottom-right boxes to give your image an angled, 3D look. At each of the image’s four corners, boxes will appear, as well as the “Perspective” window.
Select the “Perspective” tool, then click your Front Cover image. The Front Cover should go on top of the Background.Ĭlick on Front Cover, then on the menu bar: “Image –> Canvas Size.” Make sure the dimensions are 2000 x 2000 pixels.
Keep in mind that GIMP, like all professional image editors, processes images in layers. Think of layers as pieces of paper stacked one on top of the other. On the menu bar, click “File –> Open as Layers” and open your Front Cover image. When the window appears, click the drop-down bar and select “Pixels.” Make the dimensions 2000 x 2000 and the color White. The most important buttons you will be using are:īucket Fill Tool 2.
If you’re not sure how to do this, open the document in Microsoft Publisher. Note that these instructions are for a 8.5″ x 5.5″ book cover-modify your specifications accordingly. Whether you design it yourself or receive it from a contracted designer, you will need the images in PNG format. You will need two images- one for the cover, another for the spine. How to design book covers for freeįollow this step-by-step guide to create stunning 3D book cover design for your ebook, online course, or audio/video series. It is user-maintained, with nearly limitless capabilities.
GIMP is a free photo and image editor, available here. To promote and sell digital content, you need to design book covers that readers will find irresistible.īut with Adobe Photoshop licenses priced at $120/year and up, you may not have the financial resources to create beautiful promotional material, or to hire someone to do it for you. After you’ve created amazing content, it’s time to market it.